In Literature and Artistic Practice in the Sixteenth Century Angela Cerasuolo, art historian and restorer, tracks the technical processes of painting through the cross-analysis of literary texts and works of art. Having traced the critical fortunes of the texts of the authors-Leonardo, Vasari, Armenini, Borghini, Lomazzo-she compares the information on drawing and painting, analysing the specific terminology, and identifying the materials and methods. Central themes of the theoretical debate-'disegno', 'invenzione', the contrast between 'prestezza' and 'diligenza', the 'paragone'-are examined in the light of their relationship with the techniques. On the basis of scientific studies on the technical execution of paintings, works from the Capodimonte Museum, Naples are analysed as case studies.

Author Biography

Angela Cerasuolo, Ph.D. (2012) Seconda Universita di Napoli, is Restorer-conservator in the Museum of Capodimonte, Naples. She has published on history and theory of conservation and on painting techniques, including contribution on Raphael, Sebastiano del Piombo, Polidoro, Vasari, Leonardo.